Professor Write Video 4 - Audience Analysis

Summary

In this video, Professor Wright introduces the concept of audience analysis as the first crucial step in the prewriting phase of the writing process. He emphasizes that understanding your audience is vital for crafting an effective message. By asking five key questions—who is the audience, how much information do they need, what is the purpose of the writing, what obstacles need to be overcome, and what are the audience's expectations—writers can better tailor their work. The professor also encourages viewers to apply these questions to previous writing projects for practice and preparation. A strong understanding of the audience shapes all subsequent stages of writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Audience analysis is the first and most crucial step in the prewriting phase, as it helps ensure you reach your target audience effectively.
• 😀 It's important to know who your audience is in terms of demographics like age, gender, and socioeconomic background to tailor your message appropriately.
• 😀 Understanding how much information your audience needs will guide the level of detail you provide in your writing.
• 😀 The primary purpose of your writing—whether to inform, persuade, or entertain—shapes how you approach the writing process.
• 😀 Always identify obstacles or objections your audience may have before you start writing, as addressing these upfront increases the likelihood of a successful message.
• 😀 Be aware of your audience’s expectations, including their preferences for style, grammar, and vocabulary, to ensure your message resonates with them.
• 😀 If you're unsure about your audience’s expectations, aim to overshoot them by being more formal rather than too informal.
• 😀 Audience analysis is not just theoretical—it should be written down, particularly when you're starting out, to help focus and clarify your message.
• 😀 Using a real-world analogy, writing to a specific audience is like throwing darts in a well-lit room versus in the dark—focus and clarity are key.
• 😀 For effective writing, consider what the audience would expect from the content, adjusting the tone and content based on their needs and preferences.

Q & A

Why is audience analysis considered the first step in the writing process?

Audience analysis is crucial because it helps the writer understand who they are writing for, allowing them to tailor their message to meet the needs and expectations of the audience. Without this step, the writing may miss the target and fail to communicate effectively.

What analogy does Professor Adams use to explain the importance of audience analysis?

Professor Adams uses the analogy of throwing darts in a dark room. Just as you cannot hit the target in the dark without seeing it, you cannot effectively reach your audience without understanding who they are.

What are the five questions to ask during audience analysis?

The five questions to ask during audience analysis are: 1) Who are they? 2) How much information do they need? 3) What is your purpose in writing? 4) Are there any obstacles or objections to overcome? 5) What are their expectations?

Why is it important to know your audience's socioeconomic background?

Knowing the audience's socioeconomic background helps shape the tone, content, and complexity of the writing. It ensures that the message resonates with the audience by considering factors such as language level and relevant examples.

How does the amount of information needed vary for different audiences?

Different audiences may require varying amounts of information depending on their familiarity with the topic. For example, a memo to a technical support team might only need basic details, while a memo to a boss might require a more detailed explanation depending on their understanding of the issue.

What are the three main purposes of writing that Professor Adams mentions?

The three main purposes of writing are: 1) To inform – conveying information clearly; 2) To persuade – aiming to change someone's thoughts or behavior; 3) To entertain – creating something enjoyable for the audience.

What happens if you mix persuasive elements into an entertainment-focused piece?

If you mix persuasive elements into an entertainment-focused piece, you risk losing the focus on entertainment. Audiences expecting entertainment may be alienated by attempts to persuade them, which could detract from the overall effectiveness of the writing.

Why should writers consider obstacles or objections before writing?

Writers should consider obstacles or objections beforehand because addressing these concerns can help prevent the message from being dismissed. For instance, anticipating resistance from the audience (e.g., cost concerns in a memo) allows the writer to address these issues and improve the likelihood of their message being accepted.

How do audience expectations affect the style and grammar of writing?

Audience expectations dictate the level of formality, the complexity of vocabulary, and the overall tone of writing. For example, a college assignment requires a formal tone and proper grammar, while a memo at work may have more flexibility in style, depending on the workplace culture.

What does Professor Adams suggest if you're unsure about the audience's expectations?

If you're unsure about the audience's expectations, Professor Adams recommends overshooting the mark rather than undershooting it. This means being more formal and precise in your writing rather than too casual or informal, as people are generally more forgiving of overly formal writing.